44 students from the secondary school, 2 teachers and even ME ----->
Together WE successfully climbed up the Western side of the Usambara Mountains!
Last week I was ecstatic and shouting from my tin roof top that I was invited to attend the mock student Parliament session… only later I found out this meant I had to climb the mountain behind my house to get there. I thought sure I’m capable of this… I mean if it was that difficult of a climb- they wouldn’t have asked me right???
All the village elders were shocked, and everyone’s reaction was the same,
“YOU CAN???…. HA HA HA!!!”
I get this a lot… everyday in fact, about each and everything I attempt to do. Friends, family, local acquaintances in the village all challenge me with the:
“YOU CAN???”
I’ll admit I get frustrated by their lack of confidence in me, but in the end I know it’s good for me. These “you can?” convos ends up lighting a fire under my ass, triggering my ego into full force and giving me the drive to CLIMB that Damn Mountain!
ENJOY…
On our way to the path…
Students carried buckets filled with food and water to enjoy at the top. It looks like a little hill… right?
The crossing of the river… always fun~
My friends love it when I piggy back them across!
I'll be sure to hear a few “you can(s)???”
I love TZ’s communal culture!
The other teachers and students were always offering to carry my backpack and help me through out our journey.
View of the Pare Mountain Range
At the base where we met before the climb… most of the students had ripped off various parts of their uniforms by this point. This is by far the most skin I have ever seen in this country.
Getting up there with some cotton candy clouds~
This is my hood.
We made it~ SAFI SANA! Everyone looking so Smart!
Our captive audience: secondary students from the mountain school.
Reviewing notes before the session officially started.
Madam Speaker!
The young man standing is my cousin, Jonson from my village… but I call him “Tate mfupi” ( short father in my local language) He is one of the privileged few that I’ve piggybacked across the river!
Moody preachin’ it… he always has “interesting” questions during Health Club meetings.
These kids rocked it~ I’m so proud of them!
“Wrap it up B… we Got a Dance Party to start!”
My new best buddy~ Athumani, a Form 6 leaver teaching while he waits for his test results, ready to move on to University level studies. He organized the trip and made sure I made it up! This was his announcement of the 10 minute Dance PARTY before heading home.
Stepin it out Kiduku Style!
So you think we can dance?
Heading home… don’t be fooled, "the path" wasn’t at this easy the whole way….
this was the only place I felt safe enough to have my camera out during the descent.
Last chance to grab the view!
Together WE successfully climbed up the Western side of the Usambara Mountains!
Last week I was ecstatic and shouting from my tin roof top that I was invited to attend the mock student Parliament session… only later I found out this meant I had to climb the mountain behind my house to get there. I thought sure I’m capable of this… I mean if it was that difficult of a climb- they wouldn’t have asked me right???
All the village elders were shocked, and everyone’s reaction was the same,
“YOU CAN???…. HA HA HA!!!”
I get this a lot… everyday in fact, about each and everything I attempt to do. Friends, family, local acquaintances in the village all challenge me with the:
“YOU CAN???”
I’ll admit I get frustrated by their lack of confidence in me, but in the end I know it’s good for me. These “you can?” convos ends up lighting a fire under my ass, triggering my ego into full force and giving me the drive to CLIMB that Damn Mountain!
ENJOY…
On our way to the path…
Students carried buckets filled with food and water to enjoy at the top. It looks like a little hill… right?
The crossing of the river… always fun~
My friends love it when I piggy back them across!
I'll be sure to hear a few “you can(s)???”
The other teachers and students were always offering to carry my backpack and help me through out our journey.
View of the Pare Mountain Range
At the base where we met before the climb… most of the students had ripped off various parts of their uniforms by this point. This is by far the most skin I have ever seen in this country.
Getting up there with some cotton candy clouds~
We made it~ SAFI SANA! Everyone looking so Smart!
Our captive audience: secondary students from the mountain school.
Reviewing notes before the session officially started.
Moody preachin’ it… he always has “interesting” questions during Health Club meetings.
These kids rocked it~ I’m so proud of them!
Future members of Parliament!
“Wrap it up B… we Got a Dance Party to start!”
My new best buddy~ Athumani, a Form 6 leaver teaching while he waits for his test results, ready to move on to University level studies. He organized the trip and made sure I made it up! This was his announcement of the 10 minute Dance PARTY before heading home.
Stepin it out Kiduku Style!
So you think we can dance?
Heading home… don’t be fooled, "the path" wasn’t at this easy the whole way….
this was the only place I felt safe enough to have my camera out during the descent.
Last chance to grab the view!
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